STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1615-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 1590

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1590, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to assess the steps necessary:

(A) For the State to supplement federal authority to perform meat inspections within the State; and

(B) To transfer full authority over meat inspections from the federal government to the State; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the establishment of inspector positions within the Department of Agriculture to perform meat inspections.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Ulupono Initiative; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Maui County Farm Bureau; and Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Animal Rights Hawaiʻi. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1590, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair